Fated Enemies, Fated Mates [BL]

Rain yanked his wrist back, his breath uneven. "I'm not yours." The words tasted bitter on his tongue, but he forced them out anyway. He refused to let Nathaniel cage him, no matter how much his body reacted to the Alpha's touch.

Nathaniel's golden eyes darkened, a storm brewing beneath their depths. "You can say that all you want, Rain," he murmured, stepping forward, "but you and I both know the truth."

The bond pulsed between them, a living thing, tightening around Rain's very soul. His skin burned where Nathaniel had touched him, and no matter how much he willed himself to ignore it, his body betrayed him.

Soren cleared his throat, breaking the tense moment. "We don't have time for this," he said, his voice firm. "Althea isn't playing games. If she's found a way to interfere with the bond, we're already at a disadvantage."

Nathaniel didn't look away from Rain, his gaze unwavering. "She won't succeed."

"Are you certain of that?" Soren pressed. "Because right now, we don't even know what she's planning. And if she manages to sever the bond—"

Nathaniel's aura flared dangerously, his canines lengthening in a flash of possessive fury. "That won't happen."

A cold shiver ran down Rain's spine. The thought of the bond being tampered with should have brought him relief, but instead, an unsettling unease settled deep in his gut.

Soren sighed. "I suggest we move now. If we wait, we'll be reacting to her instead of stopping her."

Nathaniel nodded sharply, his posture tense. "Then we don't waste any more time." His gaze flickered back to Rain, something unreadable in his expression. "You're staying with me."

Rain's jaw tightened. "I can take care of myself."

Nathaniel was in front of him in an instant, so close that Rain could feel the heat radiating from his body. "You think I'll let you out of my sight when Althea is trying to rip you away from me?" His voice was low, a dangerous growl. "You're not going anywhere."

Rain's heart pounded in his chest, but before he could snap back, Soren interrupted. "We should move."

Nathaniel exhaled sharply and pulled away, though the weight of his presence lingered. "We leave now."

The decision had been made. And whether Rain liked it or not, he was trapped in Nathaniel's world, bound by something stronger than even his stubborn defiance.

And Althea was waiting.

Waiting to strike.

Waiting to break what little resistance he had left.

To Be Continued...